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Perth schoolboy raped 12-year-old girl twice

Sutherland admitted the charges at  the High Court in Edinburgh.
Sutherland admitted the charges at the High Court in Edinburgh.

A schoolboy twice raped a 12-year-old girl after both had been indulging in underage drinking, a court has heard.

Shaun Sutherland (16) told police that he had intercourse with the youngster on two occasions on the same evening, although she had no recollection of the incidents.

Sutherland, of Glenogle Crescent, Perth, admitted two charges of rape by having sex with a child who has not reached the age of 13 on May 25 last year, when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Advocate depute Jane Farquharson said: “The accused was part of a group of young people, most of whom are 16 years or younger, who met up regularly at weekends in an area of Perth known as the South Inch.”

The girl and a friend had gone to the South Inch and met up with others, despite her mother warning her not to go there, not to drink and to get home on time.

Ms Farquharson said the girl had drunk before but on that evening consumed vodka for the first time.

The advocate depute said: “She describes feeling tipsy, light headed and a bit dizzy and that she found it difficult to judge her actions.”

The youngster and her friends were at a pedestrian tunnel when Sutherland and a friend met up with them.

“The girl has no recollection of what then happened, save that she found herself alone with the accused,” said Ms Farquharson.

But first offender Sutherland admitted having sex with the girl in the area of the tunnel.

He and the girl then walked about a mile hand in hand to an area around Craigie Hill.

“It was clear to others who saw them that she was under the influence of alcohol,” said the advocate depute.

They disappeared into bushes. Sutherland emerged minutes later breathing heavily and with mud on his jeans.

The advocate depute said: “As stated to the police, he knew the legal age to have sexual intercourse was 16 years.”

Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci told the court: “Although clearly as a matter of law the complainer in this case cannot consent, it is the accused’s position, as a matter of fact, the conduct was consensual.”

The judge, Lord Bannatyne, deferred sentence on Sutherland until next month for the preparation of a background report.